HC Deb 22 March 1948 vol 448 cc2545-6
1. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Works what is the amount of the licence granted to the "Daily Worker" on the construction of its new building in Farringdon Street.

The Minister of Works (Mr. Key)

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. Shepherd) on 1st December last.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Whatever the amount, how does the right hon. Gentleman justify such a large expenditure at this time, when the workers, and others, are so badly in need of houses?

Mr. Key

The work was originally started and a licence granted, with the support of the Ministry of Information, in December, 1945. Work subsequently required by the district surveyor resulted in some increase in the expenditure involved.

Mr. Gallacher

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the sum total of the property owned by the Tory and Liberal Press?

Mr. Speaker

That is quite another question, and has nothing to do with this one.